I didn’t swear off all men after my divorce, but I sure as hell swore off anyone remotely like my ex. On the top of that list? Attorneys. Everyone knows they can’t be trusted.

Now that I’m back in Chicago, my focus is my daughter, my mom and me. I haven’t given up on finding my happily-ever-after, it’s just on hold—indefinitely.

Then I see Reed Warner again, and he weasels his way into every part of my life, not willing to take no for an answer.

In spite of my better judgment I can’t stop thinking about the way his designer suits fit his muscular frame, or the way his blue eyes seem to eat me up with every glance.

You know when you’re on a diet and even hummus seems irresistible? Reed is like the equivalent of chocolate éclair and my willpower is fading fast.

The problem? Not only is he a lawyer…

He was the best man at my wedding.

I can’t even begin to tell you how happy I am that Piper Rayne has put the men on hold and went back to books about the ladies!!! Trust me, I love all the guys and the series they came from but I have been WAITING for the ladies to make a return! And boy did they ever!

Manic Monday is the story of Victoria, who has moved back to Chicago with her daughter to help take care of her mother. She’s a woman on a mission to help her mom, raise her daughter, work and go to school, NO time for a man. So she thinks…until Victoria just so happens to run into her ex-husband’s best friend, Reed, who was also the best man at her wedding.

Reed. I truly can’t say enough about the guy. I think he is one of the best heros that Piper Rayne has written. He’s gorgeous, a lawyer and an all around good guy. Reed is determined not to let Victoria get away…again.

I was captivated from the first chapter and finished the book in one evening. I love how we get to watch the progression of Reed and Victoria’s relationship. It seems so natural, so perfect, something meant to be. I LOVED all the secondary characters, from the kids, to Victoria’s mom, the crazy PTA moms, Pete and the ladies with books to come!

Manic Monday is truly the perfect start to the Charity Case series and I cannot wait for more!

And Piper Rayne, if you do see this, Pete needs his own book! Thanks 😉

Manic Monday, an all-new hilarious and romantic standalone from Piper Rayne, is LIVE!

Excerpt

My phone rings just as I step onto the train. “Hello?”

“Victoria.” Darcie barks my name like she’s the head nun at a Catholic high school and I’m showing cleavage.

“How did you get this number?”

“I have my connections,” she says, and I already know from her tone that she’s about to ruin my day.

“What’s up, Darcie?” I try to hide the irritation from my voice, but I’m not sure I’m entirely successful.

“I just found you a partner to help with the carnival event.”

I blow out a breath and find a seat in the back of the train. “I don’t need a partner.”

“Well, he would only help out if it meant that he could work with you.”

A million swear words set off like a round of fireworks in my head.

“You’re kidding me?”

She laughs. “I wish I was.” I detect a bite of jealousy in her tone. “If I was single…anyway, he requested you and we so rarely get fathers or father figures so in this case, I have to let him have what he wants. And for some reason, that’s you.”

I watch the city skyline getting closer out the window. “Who is he to Henry?” I ask.

She laughs and then I hear chatter behind her. I wish I was in front of her, so I could shake her shoulders and get her to focus on me.

“Oh, you’ll find out.”

“Henry’s mom’s boyfriend?” I ask.

“Nope. Ask for yourself. Gotta go. Oh, and I’m sending him your phone number right now.”

Click.

The line dies. Mother fucking hell. Am I trapped in some Mean Girls reunion movie?

I haven’t even tucked my phone back into my purse before it dings with a text. I’d ignore it if I wasn’t worried that it could be my mom needing me.

Unknown: Hey, it’s Reed. The stunning guy you just reacquainted yourself with twenty minutes ago. How about a nightcap tonight to start brainstorming ideas for the carnival?

I add his contact information into my phone, so I don’t mistakenly answer again.

Me: Don’t you have a son to watch at night?

Reed: Nope.

Me: I don’t think your girlfriend would appreciate your invite. We can talk details over a morning coffee and that’s it.

Reed: ???

Reed: Not even dinner?

I don’t respond.

Reed: Lunch? Even business associates have lunch together.

I shake my head and try to tamp down my temper.

Reed: Fine. But mornings are hard for me.

I’m being difficult for the sake of being difficult now. I can’t very well ask Hannah to come in late to plan some stupid carnival booth anyway.

Me: Saturday?

Reed: JJJJJ My place.

The three dots appear but I respond before he can.

Me: McDonald’s on Peterson. The kids can play, and we’ll talk. Noon.

Reed: You run a hard bargain and I make a lot of deals.

What the hell does that mean?

Reed: I take it that’s the end of our conversation?

I don’t reply because there’s nothing else to say.

Reed: Message received. Have a great day, Victoria. J

I tuck my phone back into my purse with a giddy feeling inside. Damn it. I wish my stomach would get the message my brain is trying to send it.

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About Piper Rayne

Piper Rayne, or Piper and Rayne, whichever you prefer because we’re not one author, we’re two. Yep, you get two USA Today Bestselling authors for the price of one. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have “Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle” (okay…you caught us, that’s our tagline). A little about us… We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We’re both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We’re both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.